Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Problem Solving 7
Problem Solving 7
Problem Solving 7
1/8
Past
What is
the faults?
Decision
Analysis
Present
How to correct
the fault?
Problem
Analysis
KT Situation Analysis
Potential
Problem Analysis
Future
How to prevent
future faults?
Evaluation Criteria
Timing
How urgent is the Problem?
Is a deadline involved?
What will happen if nothing is done?
Trend
Will the problem get worst?
Problems potential for growth?
Impact
How serous is the problem?
What are the effects on people,
products, organization, etc.?
Timing
Trend
H
L
H
H
L
H
Impact Process
H
M
H
DA
PA
DA
PPA
DA
CIVL 1101
2/8
Principle:
Number of boxes
Problem
10,000
B. Overfilling of boxes
30,000
2,000
25,000
E. No prize in box
50,000
50000
Number of Boxes
s
Number of boxes
Problem
40000
30000
20000
10,000/$100
10000
B. Overfilling of boxes
30,000/$6,000
0
E
Problems
2,000/$7,000
25,000/$87,000
E. No prize in box
50,000/$17,500
Group Problem
100000
Lost Revenu
ue
80000
60000
40000
20000
0
D
Problems
CIVL 1101
3/8
Group Problem
Group Problem
It is 12:45 AM in the morning, March 24, 1989; you have just been alerted that the Exxon Valdez tanker
has run aground on the Bligh Reef and is spilling oil at an enormous rate. By the time you arrive at the
spill, 6 million gallons of oil have been lost and the oil slick extends well over a square mile.
A meeting with the emergency response team is called. At the meeting it is suggested that a second
tanker be dispatched to remove the remaining oil from the Exxon Valdez. However, the number of
damaged compartments from which oil is leaking is not known at this time and there is concern that if
the tanker slips off the reef, it could capsize if the oil is only removed from the compartments on the
damaged
g side.
The use of chemical dispersants (i.e., soap-like substances) which would break up the oil into drops and
cause it to sink is suggested. However, it is not known if there is sufficient chemical available for a spill
of this magnitude. The marine biologist at the meeting objected to the use of dispersants, stating that
once these chemicals are in the water, they would be taken up by the fish and thus be extremely
detrimental to the fish industry.
The use of floatable booms to surround and contain the oil also brought about a heated discussion.
Because of the spill size, there is not enough boom material even to begin to surround the slick. The
Alaskan governor's office says the available material should be used to surround the shore of a small
village on a nearby island. The Coast Guard argues that the slick is not moving in that direction and
should be used to contain or channel the slick movement in the fjord. The Department of Wildlife says
the first priority is the four fisheries that must be protected by the boom or the fishing industry will
be depressed for years, perhaps generations to come. A related issue is that millions of fish were
scheduled to be released from the fisheries into the oil contaminated fjord two weeks from now. Other
suggestions as to where to place the boom material were also put forth at the meeting.
Major
Concerns
Prevent more oil from
spilling (remove
remaining oil)
Sub-Concerns
Timing
Trend
Impact
Process
DA
M
H
H
H
H
L
H
H
M
PPA
DA
PA
H
H
L
H
H
M
H
H
L
PA
DA
DA
DA
Number of damaged
Compartments
Tanker slipping off reef
and capsizing
Environmental concerns
Availability of chemicals
Availability of floating
booms
Channel slick in fjord
Protecting island shore
Protecting fisheries
Group Problem
Group Problem
The four members of the Adams family live east of Memphis in a middle-class community. Tom Adams
commutes to work in downtown Memphis; his commute is 45 miles each way, and he is not in a car or van
pool. Tom has been thinking about looking for a job closer to his home. However, he has been working for
more than a year on a project that, if successfully completed, could lead to a major promotion at his
current company. Unfortunately, there is a major defect in the product; this error has yet to be located
and corrected. Tom must solve the problem in the very near future because the delivery date promised
to potential customers is a month away.
Tom's financial security is heavily dependent on this promotion because of rising costs at home. Both of
the Adams children need braces for their teeth, Tom needs a new car (it broke down twice on the
freeway this past fall), the house is in need of painting, and there is a water leak in the basement that
he has not been able to repair.
Sarah, Tom's wife, is a civil engineer. She has been considering getting a part- time job, but there are
no engineering jobs available in the community. Full-time positions are available in northern Memphis, but
accepting one would pose major problems with respect to chauffeuring and managing the children. There
are a few day-care centers in the community, but rumor has it they are very substandard. In addition,
last year the Adams's son Alex was accepted as a new student by the premier piano teacher in the area
and there is no public transportation from their home to his studio. Melissa, the Adams's daughter, is
very sad at the thought of giving up her YMCA swimming team and her Girl Scout troop, both of which
meet after school.
KT Problem Analysis
Group Problem
Major
Concerns
Toms work
Sub-Concerns
Projects
New job
Financial problems
Timing
Trend
Impact
Situation Analysis
Process
Problem
Analysis
Decision
Analysis
Potential
Problem Analysis
Managing children
Finding part-time job
CIVL 1101
KT Problem Analysis
KT Problem Analysis
This analysis is useful in troubleshooting operations
Situation Analysis
(Where are we?)
Problem
Analysis
Decision
Analysis
What is known
What is unknown
What is sought
KT Problem Analysis
IS
What is the
Problem?
IS NOT
What is not the
Problem?
Locate
Where is the
problem found?
Where is the
problem not found?
Timing
m ng
W n does
When
the problem
occur?
When was it
first observed?
W n does
When
the problem not
occur?
When was it
last observed?
How localized
is the problem?
What
Identify
Where
When
W
n
Extent
Magnitude
How many
units are not
affected
How much of
any one unit is
not affected?
DISTINCTION
What is the distinction between the is and
the is not ?
What is distinctive
about the different
locations?
What
W
at is distinctive
tn t
about the different
in timing?
What is the distinction
between these
observations?
What is the
distinction?
What is the
distinction?
What is the
distinction?
KT Problem Analysis
CAUSE
What is a
possible
cause?
What is a
possible
cause?
What
W
at is a
possible
cause?
What is a
possible
cause?
What is a
possible
cause?
What is a
possible
cause?
What is a
possible
cause?
KT Problem Analysis
A new model of airplane was delivered to Eastern
Airlines in 1980. Soon the flight attendants developed
a red rash on their arms, hands, and faces. It occurred
only on flights that were over water.
The same number of attendants
contacted the rash on each
flight.
In addition, a few of those who
contracted the rash felt ill, and
the union threatened action.
4/8
KT Problem Analysis
IS
IS NOT
What Rash
When New planes
Where Flights over water
Other illness
All attendants
DISTINCTION
External contact
Old planes
Different materials
Different crew
procedures
Crew duties
CIVL 1101
5/8
KT Decision Analysis
KT Decision Analysis
Situation Analysis
Situation Analysis
Problem
Analysis
Decision
Analysis
Potential
Problem Analysis
Problem
Analysis
Decision
Analysis
Potential
Problem Analysis
musts
and
wants
KT Decision Analysis
Musts
KT Decision Analysis
Assigning weights is a
subjective thing
KT Decision Analysis
Assign a weight (1 - 10) to each
want on how important it is to
you
Assign a rating (0 - 10) as to
how well it satisfies the wants
Paint Right
New Spray
Gun Ho
CIVL 1101
1)
2)
3)
4)
Easy service
Low cost
Longterm durability
Personnel with experience
Easy service
Durability
Low cost
Experience
Go
Go
Weight
7
6
4
4
Rating
2
8
3
9
Go
Go
Score
14
48
12
36
Total
WANTS
Wants:
6/8
Rating
9
6
7
2
No Go
Go
Score
63
36
28
8
110
No Go
135
Unimportant details
Faulty perception of objectives
Group Problem
Decision Analysis Group Problem
Choosing an Elective
page 171
3 Credits
Inexpensive
WANTS
Good grade
Interesting
Low time
commitment
Total
Music 101
Art 101
HISH 201
Art 203
CIVL 1101
7/8
Situation Analysis
Situation Analysis
Problem
Analysis
Decision
Analysis
Potential
Problem Analysis
Potential
Problem
A.
B.
Decision
Analysis
Potential
Problem Analysis
Contingent
Actions
Group Problem
Potential Problem Analysis
Minor Oil Spill page 175
A minor oil spill has occurred on a small sandy resort each.
The CEO of the company that caused the beach shoreline
to become soiled with oil said:
Problem
Analysis
Potential
Problem
Consequence
Preventive
Action
No return of
plant or
animal life
Environmental
mess in
trouble with
environmental
groups
Sterilized
beach too
much
Oil becomes
lodged deeper
in the sand
Continued
contamination
of the beach
Pressure
Use lower
from cleaning setting
equipment
Contamination
of water
table
Illness to
area
residents
Improper use
of equipment
Use less
abrasive
cleaning
chemicals
Group Problem
Contingent
Action
Reintroduce
life to the
area
Conduct oil
recovery
Clean up the
area water
table
CIVL 1101
Bacteria in
food
Consequence
Probable
Cause
Preventive
Action
Contingent
Action
8/8
End of Chapter 7